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September 29, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

2 Samuel 22.34-37

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

One time when Jesus stooped down it was to make a woman caught in adultery valuable in the eyes of her heavenly Father. Elders, temple rulers and those who wanted to be had found her asleep in a bought bed. They knew where to find her; she was no secret to them. You might say they shared an intimate knowledge of the trade. But, Jesus wasn’t willing to trade her for their satisfaction. Yes, she was guilty of prostitution. This was a fact not even Jesus would be able to argue. But, it wasn’t His purpose to argue this point. He was there to verify her death or her sin. He knew the situation. These men had only death on their minds. Life was not in their heart, mind or soul. They could always find another prostitute but they didn’t want to find a Messiah. Get Jesus to condemn her and they had won. She would be stoned to death and the rock of grace He stood on would crumble.

He did the unthinkable. He stooped down. He got on her level just as He gets down on ours. He left His seat at the right hand of God in Heaven to be able to walk on the earth with God’s children. He was walking among His half-brothers and half-sisters. He was walking with family. This wasn’t a prostitute they brought before Him to judge and condemn. This was His sister. He stooped down and looked into her eyes. They were hollow and filled with shame and defeat. She wasn’t shamed because of her vocation; it was all that was left to her. Her shame came in who she plied her trade with- the rulers of the city, the elders at the gate, the wannabes who were willing to pay for their pleasure instead of promoting the temple treasure. She had been invisible, or so she thought. Then they exposed her. Half-dressed, half-asleep and fully empty she looked up only to see the face of the one who betrayed her. And when she did, she found only Jesus looking at her with eyes full of life. He smiled and wiped away her tears with His gentle finger.

A teardrop fell to the ground. They watched it together as He took that same finger and He began to write in the dust from which all life came. He wrote names. Perhaps they were the names of the sins of those who stood close as her accusers ready with stones to send her to her death as His command. Perhaps they were the names of the men themselves who knew in their hearts and among their colleagues they had slept with her and reduced her to slavery. Perhaps they were the names of Hosea’s sons who represented the sins of Israel herself who was prostituted by kings and elders to foreign nations. It didn’t matter because the message was clear to them all. They all were in shame and quietly they turned away because He stooped down.

How else would He lift her up except to stoop down. He took her face in His hands and lifted her to her feet. A woman standing close wrapped her cloak around her scantily clad body. She was being restored to respectability. It came from Jesus. The one who is loved by Him is worthy of their love, too. He asked her to find her accusers. As she looked around she saw none. She did see “his” face but only for a moment as he quickly turned away and disappeared into the crowd. She may have thought he loved her. He may have made promises; but they all did. She looked back at Jesus who stooped down again to gather the stones the men had left. He collected them together into a temporary altar as Jacob had built at the River Jabbok when he had wrestled with God’s angel. It was sacred ground then. It was sacred now. He said to her, “If there is no one to accuse you, then I cannot accuse you. Go and sin no more.” Grace had won the victory. God was praised. Life was restored. Jesus proved He was the Messiah all because He stooped down!

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For peace in Ferguson, Missouri
* For those who have lost lives and loved ones in the volcanic eruption in Japan
* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin High School and the people of Slovenia
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for Betty, JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton; restoration of memory and mental ability for Wes’s mother

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, who has come to us in our world and restored our lives, we are so grateful for standing with You on sacred ground in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 28, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

2 Samuel 22.34-37

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

As mighty men of God, we know our faith confidence comes in the fact that God came down to earth. In Jesus Christ, Immanuel or ‘God with us,” we see how God desires to be in relationship with His creation. We are blessed by this fact. He is a God worthy to be pursued. We should want to enter His presence with praise. Because of Jesus Christ, we can enter His presence without fear of death or unworthiness. In Christ, the mighty men of God hold the keys of the Kingdom. This means they are residents of the Kingdom of God. The handing over of keys is the final act of home ownership which the realtor or banker performs. We belong to the kingdom of God and Jesus makes sure we know it. He is building us a house, eternal in the heavens. It means that we belong in the presence of God. We are able to move in and out of His Sanctuary. But, even more joyful is that God desires to move into our sanctuary as well. He comes to earth and walks its face. The mountains rejoice. The valleys are lifted up. The rocks cry out their praise. All creation is enlivened.

How sad it is for those who do not know nor do they see the presence of God in this world. Yes, He is the God above all gods. He is the King of Creation and Ruler of all the Heavens. But, He is an approachable and reachable God who wants to be in the midst of His children. For those who do not have this relationship with God and see Him only as judge, jury and executioner there is no hope. They manufacture lives based on fear of death instead of the awe of life. They miss their joy. You dare not miss your joy, mighty men; and you can miss that joy if you do not seek and welcome God into your heart, mind, soul and world.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For peace in Ferguson, Missouri
* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin High School and the people of Slovakia
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for Betty, JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton; restoration of memory and mental ability for Wes’s mother

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, we welcome You into our lives and rejoice that You have welcomed us into Yours, in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

Following one spectacular performance scoring over fifty points including a buzzer beater for a Chicago Bulls win, Michael Jordan responded to a reporter’s question of what does it feel like to be “in the zone.” He said, “There are times when the basket looks like big trash can. Whatever you throw at it it just goes in.” Now, mighty men, I am not saying faith is like a trash can because faith is righteousness in action. But, when we are in the faith zone whatever we throw at it goes in and is forever changed. Nothing is too small to escape God’s attention. Nothing is too big to challenge God’s authority successfully. All God asks for us to do is to get into the game and do our very best, trust the process and pursue victory with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Leave the rest to God.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For those leading God’s people this weekend in worship, service and praise
* For peace in Ferguson, Missouri
* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin High School and the people of Singapore
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for Betty, JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton; restoration of memory and mental ability for Wes’s mother

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, we trust You in all things. We open ourselves to the true possibility of victory in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 26, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

2 Samuel 22.31-33

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

What most of us want is for our lives to be perfect. Like Goldilocks and the three bears- it wasn’t about too hot or too cold, too big or too small, too hard or too soft. It was all about being just right. But, the truth is that living in this world is messy. As much as we might think we have things under control, the truth is that we thrive best when God is in control. He does not want mindless robots; computers with no soul. He wants to have a relationship with His people who respond to His wisdom and truth by putting it, by faith, into action. Doing God’s will is living a life of perfection. It is about doing God’s will. It is about obedience to the Father, trusting Him in all things. It is about being centered on keeping the first thing first- and nothing comes before God.

Follow David’s logic for a moment and you will see that God’s mighty men can have that perfect life; God’s perfect. His perfect is faith, hope and love. His perfect is loving one another and He loves us. If we do this then we fulfill all the Law and the teachings of the Prophets. If we do this, we model the life of Christ and fulfill the expectations of our salvation. Paul wrote to the mighty men of Corinth that we see in a mirror dimly but one day we shall see Jesus clearly as if we were standing face to face with the risen and returned Savior. In that moment we will not be struck done by the judgment of God. Rather, in that moment we will be clothed with righteousness and called blessed. That sounds perfect to me.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For those leading God’s people this weekend in worship, service and praise
* For peace in Ferguson, Missouri
* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin High School and the people of Sierra Leone
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for Betty, JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton; restoration of memory and mental ability for Wes’s mother

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, wrap us in Your righteousness and empower us today to bless others mightily in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 25, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

2 Samuel 22.31-33

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

These are the words of David as he remembers how God revealed Himself. As David speaks of a shield, I cannot help but reflect on the conversation he had with King Saul as he volunteered to stand against Goliath and the Philistines. King Saul offered David his armor and his shield so he would be better suited for battle. It is a call to conformity. In Saul’s mind, the battle belonged to the man and the army best outfitted and supplied for battle. That mindset continues throughout the centuries and exists today as one nation touts a greater military presence and arsenal over another. It is at the heart of the “cold war” theory. But, David knew that his purpose did not match Saul’s. His purpose was to go before the Lord. If it led him to stand before a giant then he would do so. It would be to him the same as when he confronted a lion or a bear in order to protect his father’s sheep. The Lord would be his shield. The victory would be the Lord’s as well.

It is not different for the mighty men of God today. We take up the shield of faith fitted for the battle against evil and its host, Satan. That shield douses the arrows of fire which the enemy sends against us. Any other shield will not do. God’s shield, just as His Word, is perfect; its righteousness endures forever.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin and the people of Seychelles
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for Betty, JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton; restoration of memory and mental ability for Wes’s mother

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, fit us for the battle against evil perfectly so that Yours is the victory and the glory forever in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 24, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

Proverbs 3.3-6

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

When John the Baptizer preached the call to repentance in the wilderness, he cried out “Prepare the way of the Lord.” As Jesus rode into Jerusalem before He was arrested, the people cleared the road and laid branches from nearby palm trees on the road. It was an act of honor and submission. It also helped to keep down the dust from the road. But, Solomon teaches that when we do the internal work of trusting and believing in God, He will prepare the road. It seems that the life of faith is a combined effort of road clearing and road straightening. We cannot do it alone. We need God’s assistance to accomplish what is good for the glory of God in Jesus Christ and for one another. Sounds alot like teamwork to me. Jesus speaks of being equally yoked with us. He tells the disciples before His ascension that He will be with them always. Mighty men, we need to take comfort in the simple truth that our efforts are rewarded by the presence and participation of Christ with us. We are not alone in doing God’s will and in being victorious over sin and death. Trust in God and work with Him to eliminate the detours and distractions that hinder God’s people from knowing the truth for themselves.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin and the people of Seychelles
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, breathe into us Your Holy Spirit and clear all the distracting thoughts from our heart, mind and soul in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 23, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

Proverbs 3.3-6

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

I remember a mountain hike in New Mexico one summer with a friend. She had never been on such a rigorous trek in her life. Her life had been filled with numerous medical challenges not the least of which had to deal with her heart. But, it was her birthday and I promised her I would take her on a mountain hike. As we walked our way up the mountain it seemed more uphill than winding. But, I found ways to give us some switchbacks to make it less strenuous for her. We found snowbanks which were used to resupply our water so she stayed hydrated. Each time we switched back I would pause to get her to see across the valley and down the pass out to the desert stretching far out to the west beyond the Rio Grande River. When we finally had reached a point with no option to proceed further because of a six foot deep pack of snow, we stopped and looked around where we were. Where the snow was melting we could see water bubbling up and begin its flow downhill. We knew that by the time it reached where we had left our car it would be a roaring mountain stream that eventually would empty into the Rio Grande. Praise God for such a spectacle.

But, mighty men, I share this with you only because while it seemed to be a long and arduous trek uphill, it seemed like a straight path going downhill. We praised God for every new thing we saw because we were facing it instead of turning back to it. Before we knew it, the journey was over but not our wonderment. The same can be said in life. It may seem uphill with all its many challenges. But, when we continue to praise God and press into Him, our journey becomes more possible and the bends in the road seem more straight.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries and the death toll is now over 2600
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin and the people of Serbia
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, thank You for going with us in all our journeys in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 22, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

Proverbs 3.3-6

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

And the favor you will win will not only be that of our Almighty God but of other men in the world; even those who may oppose you. The spoils of battle, even the battle against evil, go to the victor. Imagine the wealth of life which Jesus received because He was victorious in His battle against sin and death. He received YOU! Though you were dead in sin, while you yet were sinning, Jesus died on the cross as an atonement for your sinful nature. That nature was defeated and rendered powerless. In its place you have been clothed in righteousness and called to be a son of Almighty God. If God loves you this much that He would send His own Son into the world to die for your sin imagine the blessing of love which comes accepting His Son as Lord and Savior of your life!

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin and the people of Senegal
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, bless the walk of Your mighty men today as they go into all the world to make disciplines in all nations in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 19, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

Proverbs 3.3-6

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

Mighty men, I want to invite you to an image revealed to me as I prayed for insight in HIS Word for today. The image is of the God-inspired and Spirit-scribed Ten Commandments which were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Two tablets, one of love and the other of faithfulness. One tablet contained the expectations of man relating to God in the realm of true love. The other tablet contained the expectations of man relating to man in the realm of true faithfulness. We tend look upon the Ten Commandments as a purely legal code. But, the law appeals more to the mind and the body. Grace and mercy are matters of the heart which no law can contain nor overcome. The man who is bound by the grace of God and knows in his heart the mercy of a loving Father shall know the favor of God and enjoy the fullness of life.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For those leading God’s people in worship, praise and service this weekend; especially for World Mandate
* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin and the people of Saudi Arabia
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, thank You for loving us wholly, holy and completely in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

September 18, 2014

YOUR Will be done in the year to come- 2014

HIS WORD for Today:

Proverbs 3.3-6

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

As mighty men of God we must strive to never get ahead of ourselves nor God. God’s way is perfect and righteous. His way is illuminated with His glory and peace. His way is supplied with faith, hope and love. His way is, without question, Jesus Christ who declared, in the words of John, “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life; there is but one Way to the Father.” Mighty men, be true to your commitment to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. Maintain the integrity of the great commandments to “love God with one’s whole self and the neighbor as you would love yourself.” In this way, knowledge and wisdom can comingle until they are one unlocking each mighty man’s full potential in mercy and grace.

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For miraculous healing and eradication of Ebola as the crisis spreads; medical treatments are working but the disease is spreading to other countries
* For peace between nations and the end of the abuse and killing of adults and children between Israel and Palestine/Hamas
* For the defeat of the terrorist rebels, ISIS, that they will cease their actions to disrupt peace in Iraq and Syria, put aside their warring nature and put on the spirit of the One True God or suffer consequences far more severe than war against the nations of peace and democracy; and a warning to the rest of the world to be on alert if ISIS reaches Baghdad, ancient Babylon
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For the violence to stop in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, North Korea and the Ukraine and the open roads for peace be made so that healing may begin and peace rules
* For protection on Christians around the world and the celebration that all life lived in Christ will be blessed with life in the Kingdom
* For the mission teams sent out by the Church into all the world that they remain safe as they intercede and plant the seed of faith, hope and love
* For Mission Waco, “No Man’s Land,” Marlin and the people of Sao Tome and Principe
* For anointing over all these prayer concerns: for maturity for the young ladies on my campus. faculty and staff; deliverance from cancer and tremors in my brother; healing for Lisa’s body, mind and spirit and freedom from a bondage of sadness and disappointment; healing for JoAnn, Debbie and Linda; mending of Dallas’ body and restoration for Katelyn; Mack to blessed in the direction God has chosen for his life and an awakening of his friends to God so their lives are a glory to God and the wisdom to do what is right and be obedient and submissive is their true and singular passion; all the concerns lifted up in LG; deliverance from financial burden and for guidance in current vocational endeavors; blessing on Mallory and Andrew and Peyton

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world)

* God is giving hope to the trusting and the opportunity to serve Him in a new community and keeping the culture as calm as needed to the level of challenge I am able to handle with His help
* God is manifesting healing in my family and providing wisdom for a challenging decision for each of us

ABIDING IN HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER:

Father, we look to You for guidance; reveal to us what is needed by the glory of Your Son for it is in Jesus’ name that we live, serve and praise. AMEN.